PROGRESSIVE ROCK

Progressive rock bands went beyond the established rock music formulas by experimenting with different instruments, song types, and musical forms. Some bands such as Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues and Golden Earring experimented with new instruments including wind sections, string sections, and full orchestras. Many progressive rock bands moved well beyond the formulaic three-minute rock songs into longer, increasingly sophisticated songs and chord structures.

Progressive rock bands borrowed musical ideas from classical, jazz, electronic, and experimental music. Progressive rock songs ranged from lush, beautiful songs to atonal, dissonant, and complex songs. The most striking tendency and identifying feature of any given piece of progressive rock is that it feels carefully composed, yet spontaneous and improvised at the same time.

Progressive rock bands include: Barclay James Harvest, Camel, Can, Caravan, Dream Theater, Marillion, Electric Light Orchestra, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, The Nice, Soft Machine and Yes.